Improvement in convertible car seats and couches



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. A. PIGOIO'LI. Convertible Gar Seat and Couch.

Patented Dec.10, 1878.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. A.\PICGIOLI. A Convertible Gar Seat andouch.No..210,\628. Pateln'feclDec.10,1878.

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CHARLES A PIOCIOLI, OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS AND COUCHES.

Specilieation forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,628, dated Decemberl0, 1873; application filed October 16, 1878.

To all lwhom it mayA concern:

Beit known. that I, OHARLEs A. Piccioni, of Montgomery, in the county ofMontgomery and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Appliances for Converting Gar-Seats into Reclining-Couches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invent-ion relates to an improvement in appliances for convertingcar-seats into reclining-couches, the object being to provide a deviceof such construction that it may be folded into small compass and packedin an ordinary traveling satchel, and when unfolded and placed in properposition it shall serve to support one end of a car-seat cushion in aninclined position, thus converting the seat into a reclini 11g-couch forthe occupant of the seat.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of arailway-car seat provided with my improved support. Fig. 2 representsthe portable device in a folded position. Fig. 3 shows the same whenopen. 'Fig 4 is a view, in perspective, of a car-seat with the portablesupport in position for retaining the seat-cushion at the properinclination. Figs. 5 and 6 are modifications.

A represents the removable cushion of an ordinary car-seat. B is theinner, and O the outer, end of the seat. D represents my improvedportable car-seatcushion support 5 and consists of the cross-bar a,constructed with a groove, b, formed in one edge thereof. b b arefolding standards, which are pivoted to the opposite ends of the bar a,and adapted to be folded into the groove b iiush with the edge of thebar, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this form the support D occupies verylittle space, and may be carried in an Ordin ary travelin g-satchel.When required for use, the standards b b are turned outward and beneaththe cross-bar a until the upper ends of the standards abut against theshoulders c c of the cross-bar. The lower ends of the folding standardsare provided with shoulders d d', which t the top and inner sides of theseat-frame pieces e c', as

shown in Fig. l. The cushion is supported atY one end upon the cross-bara, while the opposite end rests against the other end of the seat. Apillow may be placed at the head or upper end of the cushion, asillustrated in Fig. 4, thus constituting a reclining-couch for theoccupant ofthe seat.

The traveler may provide himself with a rubber pillow, which maybepacked into small compass and packed away in a satchel during the day,or when not needed for use; and by lling the cushion with air it isrendered of proper size and shape to answer the desired purpose.

From the foregoing it will be observed that every traveler may beprovided with a comparatively inexpensive device for use in traveling,and one that requires but little space in transportation, While by itsaid any ordinary car-seat may be readily converted into areclining-couch, thus enabling a traveler to secure substantially thesame comforts and rest that obtain in Pullman cars.

Man-y improvements have been madein head rests for car-seats 5 but such'devices only partially serve the wants of travelers, as only the headis retained in a comfortable position for sleepin g, no provision beingmade for supporting the body of the traveler in an easy and comfortableposition for gaining the vdesired rest.

My improvement can be manufactured at slight initial cost, and thusbrought within the reach of all railway-travelers. It is adapted to befolded and packed in small compass, and when applied for use it servesto trailsform an ordinary car-seat into a comfortable reclining-couch.

'Ihe portable support may be made of wood or metal, as desired. Thelower ends of the standards may be pronged, so that by a slight pressurethey will be firmly secured to the seat-frame.

The cross-bar a may be made in two sections, hinged together by a ruleor knuckle hinge, and the standards also each made of two' sections,hinged in a similar manner. This latter construction would enable thesup-- port to be folded into a very short package, so that it might beinserted in a very small traveling satchel or case.

Again, the cross-bar may be provided with short heav5T spiral springs,which may be at taehed to plates and hinged at opposite ends ot' thebar, so that when not in use they may be folded within suitable groovesin the crossbar; and when the support is to be employed, the springs maybe turned up at right angles thereto and serve to support one end of theoar-seat cushion in a yielding manner.

Itis evident that many slight changes in the construction andarrangement ofthe parts of a portable support may be devised Withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention-as, for instance, the supportmay be hinged or pivoted to the frame of the car-scat, as illustrated inFigs. 5 and 6. When the support is not employed it is turned downbetween the seat-frame, as represented in Fig. 6, and when desired foruse it is turned up to rest against the end ot the seat, as shown inFig. 5. Thus, it desired, the seats of a ear may be provided with headsupports permanently attached thereto, and which will prove ot' greatvalue and comfort to travelers on through-lines. I

i Having fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A folding support consisting,` of a cross-v set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal this 5th day ot' October, 1878.

4CHARLES A. PICCIOLI.

1Witnesses:

J. S. IRWIN, Il. (j. Mosns.

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